Accord 2.3
Basemat Doolen
Since its initiation, Honda has offered several different car body styles and versions of the Accord, and often vehicles marketed under the Accord nameplate concurrently in different regions differ quite substantially. It debuted in 1976, as a compact hatchback, though this style only lasted through 1989, as the lineup was expanded to include a sedan, coupe, and wagon. By the sixth-generation Accord at the end of the 1990s, it evolved into an intermediate vehicle, with one basic platform but with different bodies and proportions to increase its competitiveness against its rivals in different international markets. For the eighth-generation Accord released for the North American market in 2007, Honda had again chosen to move the model further upscale and increase its size.[1] This pushed the Accord sedan from the upper limit of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines as a mid-size car to just above the lower limit of a full-size car,[2] with the coupe still rated as a mid-size car. In 2012, the ninth-generation Accord sedan, with smaller exterior dimensions, was once again classified as a mid-size car at 119 cubic feet (3.4 m3), falling just shy of the "Large Car" classification. However, the tenth-generation Accord sedan, with similar exterior dimensions, returned to full-size car status with its combined interior space of 123 cubic feet (3.5 m3); the coupe was discontinued in 2017.
Honda, after establishing itself as a leading manufacturer of motorcycles during the 1950s, began production of cars in 1963.[8] Honda introduced its N360 minicar, compliant with Kei car specifications for the Japanese market, for the 1967 model year. The car had a transverse-mounted front engine, front-wheel drive (FF) layout, which would be adopted for the later N600 (1969), H1300 (1970) and Civic (1972) models.[9] Occupying a size niche between minicars and compact sedans, the Civic offered a combination of economy and practicality with its space-efficient design that had immediate appeal. The Civic gave Honda their first market success competing with manufacturers of standard compact cars, which were the growth segment as sales of minicars plateaued and waned in the early 1970s, and their first major impact in the export market.[10] Honda's CVCC engine technology, which had been under development since 1970, was added to the Civic in December 1973. It had the advantages of not requiring a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel to meet the emissions requirements of the 1970s and early 1980s.[11]
After the well-received launch of the Civic, Honda started on the development of a larger companion model. Honda's original concept for a larger, quieter, more powerful and comfortable car was a four-door sedan powered by a 2000cc inline-six engine, designated Project 653.[12] Information on that project has been interpreted as designating a V6 powered competitor to the Ford Mustang,[13] however that appears to be a confused interpretation of the Project 653 design concept. For reasons including managing development costs, leveraging the technology of their Civic, and ability to adapt production facilities to the new model, Honda changed their focus to building upon the Civic's successful formula in a larger package, designated Project 671.[12] The body design of the new model was finalised in the fall of 1973, as reported in the December 1975 issue of Motor Trend magazine,[14] which suggests that work under Project 671 had been advancing in the months prior. However, one account of the timeline reports that mechanical engineering under Project 671 got underway in 1974.[12] Until production of the new model, intensive engineering efforts were carried out to make the CVCC engine quieter and more suited to higher cruising speeds, to refine the suspension for better ride and handling, to develop a power steering system suitable for a lightweight compact car, and to improve noise damping in the body and frame. Extensive pre-production testing was performed under a wide variety of conditions, to assure the Accord's suitability for the varied uses an export model would be subjected to.[12]
For the new model, Honda chose the name "Accord", reflecting "Honda's desire for accord and harmony between people, society and the automobile."[15] German manufacturer Opel unsuccessfully sued Honda, claiming that the name was too similar to their Rekord.[16]
The Accord's final form, with an extended nose and extended coupe cabin with a sloping hatchback rear, was a logical derivation of the stubby hatchback design of the Civic and it provided ample leeway for use of Civic-derived components. It showed similarity to the Volkswagen Scirocco, which had been introduced in January 1974, leading to speculation that the form of the Accord was copied from the Scirocco. However, the Accord's form had been finalised months prior to the Scirocco's introduction.[14]
On 14 October 1977 (a year later in the U.S. market), a four-door sedan was added to the lineup, and power went to 72 hp (54 kW) when the 1,599 cc (97.6 cu in)[19] EF1 engine was supplemented and in certain markets replaced by the 1,751 cc (106.9 cu in) an EK1 unit, producing 72 hp (54 kW) with the GK-5 5-speed transaxle, or 68 hp (51 kW) with the 2-speed Hondamatic. Technically, the sedan was not changed from the hatchback, and the wheelbase remained the same as well. This did result in a rather long rear overhang to fit a full-sized boot.[20] The roof was a bit taller so as to provide more interior comfort, and the Accord Sedan was the first Honda in Japan to be offered with typically Japanese middle-class extras such as ornate hubcaps and lace seat covers.[21]
In the U.S. market, the sedan was available in three colours: Livorno Beige with beige cloth interior, Silver with maroon cloth interior, or dark red with maroon cloth interior. In 1980 the optional two-speed semi-automatic "Hondamatic" transmission of previous years became a three-speed fully automatic gearbox (a four-speed automatic transaxle was not used in the Accord until the 1983 model year). The North American versions had slightly redesigned bumper trim. Other changes included new grilles and taillamps and remote mirrors added on the four-door (chrome) and the LX (black plastic) models. The CVCC badges were deleted, but the CVCC induction system remained. At the same time, California-specification engines received a four-port exhaust valve head and a catalytic converter. This version of the EK1 engine was equivalent to the 1981 49-state High Altitude engine, omitting the air jet controller device that helped maintain the proper mixture at higher altitudes (above 4000 feet). The horsepower increased from 72 hp (54 kW) for 5-speed cars and 68 hp (51 kW) for automatic cars with the two-port 49-state engine to 75 hp (56 kW), like the 1981-83 versions.
In North America, the 1981 model year only brought detail changes such as new fabrics and some new colour combinations.[22] Livorno Beige (code No. Y-39) was replaced by Oslo Ivory (No. YR-43). Dark brown was discontinued, as was the bronze metallic. A bit later in 1981, and SE 4-door model was added for the first time, with Novillo leather seats and power windows. The paint colour was NH-77M Glacier Gray with a gray interior. Base model hatchbacks, along with the four-door, LX, and SE four-door, all received the same smaller black plastic remote mirror. The instrument cluster was revised with mostly pictograms which replaced the worded warning lights and gauge markings. The shifter was redesigned to have a stronger spring to prevent unintentional engagement of reverse, replacing the spring-loaded shift knob of the 1976 to 1980 model year cars. The shift lever was also shortened by a couple of inches, with a larger thread diameter, allowing usage of later Honda shift knobs, including the rectangular knob used on all 1986 and newer Accords.
Debuted on 22 September 1981, in Japan, Europe, and North America, this generation of the Accord being produced in Japan, also became the first to be built in the United States, at Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio. Since its first year in the American market, it also became the best-selling Japanese nameplate in the United States, retaining that position for about 15 years.[25] In Japan, a sister model called the Honda Vigor was launched simultaneously with the new Accord. This allowed Honda to sell the product at different sales channels called Honda Clio, which sold the Accord, and Honda Verno, that sold the Vigor.
This car included popular features of the time such as shag carpet, velour cabin trim, and chrome accents. An optional extra on the 1981 Accord was an Electro Gyrocator, the world's first automatic in-car navigation system.[27] Japanese market cars were available in Silver, Sky Blue, and Beige. The LX hatchback offered a digital clock and slightly higher fuel economy (due to its lighter weight). In Europe, the Accord was available as a fairly well equipped (for the time) standard version, as well as a very luxurious EX model at a modest upcharge.[26]
In the United States, Federal lighting regulations required headlamps of sealed beam construction and standard size and shape on all vehicles, so Accords in North America were equipped with four rectangular headlamp units rather than the aerodynamic composite replaceable-bulb units used on Accords sold outside North America (note European specification imagery). Other Automotive lighting variations included amber front and red rear side marker lights and reflectors in North America, and headlamp washers and a red rear fog lamp for European markets. Japanese-market Accords were unique from all other markets in that they offered adjustable ride height control and side-view mirrors installed on the mid-forward wings.[28]
In November 1982, Honda made a fully four-speed automatic available with the 1.8-litre engine, a major improvement over the earlier, three-speed semi-automatic "Hondamatic" transmission. This quickly filtered through to export markets, where the outdated Hondamatic was soon superseded entirely. The manual five-speed transmission remained unchanged. A new 120 mph speedometer replaced the earlier 88 mph unit. The Special Edition (SE) featured Novillo leather seating, power windows, a power sunroof, and door locks. Gray was added as a colour option. A slightly modified EK-2 engine was introduced, replacing the earlier EK-1, albeit still carbureted.
93ddb68554